I. The Taj Mahal is truly a spectacular symbol of craftsmanship, love, and art all combined.
A. The Taj Mahal is one of the Eight Wonders of the world that is built in Agra, India.
B. The Taj Mahal was created out of love for the fourth Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second and favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal.
C. The Monument is part of a vast complex that includes many different beautiful features.
BODY
I. The Taj Mahal is one of the eight wonders of the world that is built it Agra, India.
A. The construction of this white marbled monument began around 1632 and was completed by 1653.
1. The construction employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen
B. The construction of the Taj Mahal was strictly under the supervision of the architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
1. In the building of this monument, he included the finest Mughal architecture
2. This is a style that combines Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles.
3. The Taj Mahal stands on a square platform with four corners that form an unequal octagon.
4. The interior and exterior of the monument is decorated with designs of flowers and calligraphy.
5. The main archways are chiseled with passages from the Holy Quran.
6. The construction of the Taj Mahal was about 32million rupees; which is now approx. $670,000 USD
II. The idea of the Taj Mahal first came from a Muslim emperor Shah Jahan.
A. It is also said to be that the idea came to him from a dream.
1. Taj Mahal means “Crown Palace.”
B. He built the monument in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal after their 14th child was born.
1. Her body and coffin was placed in the lower level of the Taj Mahal. This is why it is known to many people as a tomb and not a monument.
C. After Shah Jahan died in 1666, his son placed his body right next to his wife Mumtaz on the lower level.
III. Five years after the death of Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal scenery was finally complete.
A. The monument is part of a vast complex that
Bibliography: "The Taj Mahal." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. "Taj Mahal: Memorial to Love." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. . "Official Site of Taj Mahal." Official Site of Taj Mahal. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. .